1930’s U.S. NAVY RECRUITING FILM “BUILDING BLUE JACKETS” NAVAL TRAINING CENTER 43884b

This official U.S. Navy recruiting film dates to the 1930s (:13). It shows a tour of a training station and details the new students’ training courses prior to being assigned to sea duty. Its not clear where it was shot, although the architecture of some buildings is reminiscent of the U.S. Naval Station at San Diego. (The large domed building at :58 is hard to identify however.) The film opens with a young sailor introducing the film (:31). The new sailors are shown on the field for early morning drill practice (:58) led by the Navy band. The sailors are provided with complete uniforms which they are responsible for washing (2:08). A drill is then conducted as sailors lined in two rows pack and unpack their supplies (2:34). Experienced boating instructors watch over as the sailors learn to operate small row boats (3:07). One sailor blows a horn as another rings a bell (4:06) to announce the beginning of church ceremonies as the Navy Chaplin is available to provide the men with religious services (4:49). The young sailor whom had introduced the film returns to inform viewers after just a few weeks of training they are ready to pass in review as they head out to join the fleet (6:03). The new Blue Jackets are seen marching led by the Navy band (6:21). The American flag is seen alongside the men’s battalion flag as they pass in review (7:37) as the film concludes shortly after (9:24).
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[@johnmitchell4769]

My father left high school and joined the Navy right after Pearl Harbor. I can just imagine him going through this training with his shipmates. He was so very proud of his time in the Navy, 24 years. We owe all of these sailors and members of the Greatest Generation, such a debt of gratitude for what they sacrificed for us. May god bless them all.

[@Laura-wc5xt]

Cheers

[@stevengoldstein7890]

My dad had been in there naval Reserve in Detroit Michigan prior to World War II he was called upon active duty when he had already had two children in 1943 he served aboard the Destroyer escorts I am the proud possessor of his Navy peacoat what a treasure Whatta Man

[@paulslivchak1014]

I was one of those Bluejackets that passed through the hallowed halls of NTC/RTC San Diego, CA during the early 80’s and this film looks like that’s exactly where it was filmed at. I would hazard a guess and say that where the Recruit Training Units we’re passing in review was Preble Field

[@badgerattoadhall]

i wish we had the band playing when we did dt at army OSUT.

[@johnclayton1026]

I think it's LIberty Station San Diego

[@oldroscoe2590]

In a few short weeks the band improved more than the sailors.

[@michaelch5060]

Looks like San Diego but it was a lot different when I was there in the late 70's

[@jec1ny]

The blue sailor's collar with dress whites went out with the Second World War and since the movie isn't silent that puts in the 30s as noted in the description. The architecture suggests Sand Diego though there were other naval training stations back then. It's unlikely that it was Great Lakes and Norfolk was not a recruit training station back then.

[@ELCADAROSA]

Not just the architecture, but also the landscaping (in particular, the trees) suggests San Diego. Definitely not Great Lakes, but there were also quite a few more RTCs back during WWII to handle the influx of recruits. Now, all that is left is Great Lakes.

[@TreeTop1947]

I wonder if that's Point Loma in the background at 7:45? I went through Recruit Training next door at MCRD San Diego approximately thirty years after this film was made. Semper Fi to all my U.S. Navy Shipmates (especially the "Devildocs"), TreeTop

[@johnnyallen843]

My dad went in in 1939 and his platoon's graduation picture had them all in the dress white jumpers with blue collars and cuffs, like the narrator. He said those went out around 1941. The domed building looks like it might be at the Norfolk Naval Station. That's where my dad took his boot training and it looks similar to some pictures that he had.

[@mcqueenfanman]

Those sailors marching with rifles reminds me of the movie The Sand Pebbles.

[@davidchicoine9209]

That's what was playing my first day in the PI as I was awaiting transportation at the NAS Cubi Point terminaI. I thought it was uncannily thematic.

[@motorTranz]

"The days of wooden ships and iron men."